In a headline-making interview aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, former President Donald Trump declared uncertainty about whether he must uphold the United States Constitution, sparking bipartisan criticism in Washington.
“I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump said when asked whether people in the U.S.—citizens and non-citizens alike—deserve due process under the Constitution. Pressed more broadly on whether he believes he is obligated to uphold the Constitution, the 78-year-old Republican repeated, “I don’t know.”
The remarks, made during a taped interview on Friday with moderator Kristen Welker, come as Trump begins his second term in the White House amid intensifying controversy over his immigration policies and economic agenda. Trump has come under fire for his administration’s mass deportation policy, which has reportedly removed undocumented migrants without court hearings. Defending the move, Trump claimed the process of granting each migrant a trial would take “300 years” and insisted that rapid expulsions are justified under what he calls a “national emergency.”
The constitutional ambiguity expressed by Trump drew sharp rebukes—including from within his own party. “We’re either a free society governed by the Constitution or we’re not,” posted Republican Senator Rand Paul on X, formerly Twitter.
The former president also addressed concerns over rumors that he might pursue a third term, something explicitly barred by the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Trump had previously hinted that he was “not joking” about seeking a third term and alluded to “methods” that could potentially allow it. However, in the NBC interview, he walked back those comments: “This is not something I’m looking to do,” he said. Despite that, his campaign store is already selling “Trump 2028” hats.
“I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward,” Trump said. He named Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors. When asked about accusations that his leadership is veering into authoritarianism, Trump deflected: “Why don’t you ask it a different way? Many people want to come into our country. Many people love Trump. I won the election.”
Economic concerns also featured heavily in the discussion. Trump defended his aggressive tariff policies, even as the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025. “Tariffs are going to make us rich,” he asserted, claiming that trade deficits, especially with Canada, are harming the country. He added, “We subsidize Canada,” and assured viewers it was “highly unlikely” the U.S. would use military force against its northern neighbor. “I think we’re not going to ever get to that point,” he said.
Trump also confirmed plans for a military parade in Washington on June 14 to celebrate his 79th birthday. “We’re going to have a big, beautiful parade,” he said, brushing off concerns over costs as his administration proceeds with massive government layoffs. “We have the greatest weapons in the world, and we’re going to celebrate it.” The interview adds fuel to ongoing debates over the direction of Trump’s second term, constitutional norms, and the balance of power in the American government.
